Abstract: A gripping device or the like, particularly for gripping hot pans. First and second movable members are formed by molding with structural plastic material. One of the members has an integral pivot post extending laterally and defining a pivot axis. The other movable member has an integral tubular pivot member, arranged for a close fit reception over the pivot post to pivotally join the two movable members. The pivot post has an annular groove, and the tubular pivot member includes a plurality of integral, resilient locking tabs having portions projecting radially inward at a shallow angle to the pivot axis. The two movable members are assembled by forcing the tubular pivot member over the pivot post. The locking tabs are resiliently displaced outwardly during the assembly, and snap into place in the annular groove to positively lock the two parts together.

Abstract: A calibration process for setting the switching point of a sensor which produces an output signal depending on whether a switching point has been exceeded or has not been reached by a sensor signal produced by a condition being sensed exceeds the switching point, and in which the value of the switching point is determined using the values of the sensor signal in the uninfluenced and in the influenced state. Operating reliability of the sensor is improved by determining the location of the switching point during the calibration process under the condition of essentially identical operating reserves of the sensor in the uninfluenced and in the influenced state.

Abstract: A novel avirulent strain of Geotrichum candidum has been isolated which is effective to inhibit growth of postharvest pathogens on fruit. In use, protection from postharvest fruit-rots may be afforded by application of an effective amount of the strain onto the surface of fruit.

Abstract: A pre-load indicating washer for properly tensioning a joint held together by an externally threaded member and an internally threaded member. The pre-load indicating washer has a plurality of protuberances, struck and partially sheared from the annular body of the washer, which are pushed under load back into a corresponding number of indentations in the annular body which are formed when the protuberances are formed. The protuberances of the pre-load indicating washer are curved in outline with no portion of the protuberances extending radially outward beyond the outer periphery of the bearing surface of an externally threaded member when the pre-load indicating washer is positioned adjacent the externally threaded member, or radially outward beyond the outer periphery of the bearing surface of an internally threaded member when the pre-load indicating washer is positioned adjacent the internally threaded member.

Abstract: In a cellular telephone system, mobile station measurements of received signal strength on each reference frequency are made in order to select a cell. At call set-up in or handoff to that cell, a voice frequency is selected by the system to carry the communication. A determination is then made as to whether the antenna used for the reference frequency is the same as that used by the selected voice frequency. From this determination, actions are taken as needed to address concerns over potential differences in broadcast coverage areas for the antennas. For example, an alternate voice frequency using the same antenna as the reference frequency may be chosen. Further, a test broadcast may be made on the selected voice frequency for comparison to the received signal strength on the reference frequency in order to confirm the selection of the cell and use of the selected voice frequency.

Abstract: Meltblown thermoplastic fibers are cooled by microsized water droplets produced by airless ruby nozzles. The droplets have an average diameter of less than 20 microns.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling admission to a packet switched radio channel (PRCH) is provided. A PRCH admission control function evaluates admission requests for users requesting admission to a PRCH. The admission requests each contain a priority value and an estimated data traffic for the requesting user. If the estimated data traffic from one or more packet calls currently using the PRCH and having a priority equal to or higher than the priority of the requesting user, plus the estimated data traffic required by the requesting packet call are less than a maximum tolerable traffic level, the packet call is granted admission.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hinge strap assembly including a torque rod spring assembly having a torque rod. The torque rod has a pair of end portions connected by a convoluted portion. The convoluted portion has a plurality of legs connected by at least one U-shaped bight portion. A slider block and/or pivot block may be clampingly mounted on the convoluted portion to vary the stiffness of the torque rod spring assembly. The hinge strap assembly may include a hinge box, a hinge strap and a single convoluted torque rod which connects therebetween. Alternatively, the hinge strap may be boxless having a hinge strap and a torque rod upon which the hinge strap is pivotally mounted. An end of the torque rod may be directly affixed to the rear shelf thereby eliminating the conventional hinge box. An insert may be used to pivotally mount the torque rod within the hinge strap.

Abstract: An induction cooking heater includes at least one inductor, a high-frequency current generator and a magnetic circuit located beneath the inductor. The reluctance of the magnetic circuit is calibrated so that the magnetic circuit gets saturated from a predetermined temperature lower than the maximum permissible temperature for the inductor. A plate made of non-magnetic, electrically conductive material located beneath the magnetic circuit, gives rise to an increase in current in the inductor when the magnetic circuit starts getting saturated. The generator is then controlled by a regulator for limiting the value of the current in the inductor to deliver lower power to the inductor.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for optically representing information on a transparent projection surface using several projection modules and using through-light projection. The method and arrangement are both cost effective and ensures that an observer viewing even a large display of information is provided with a bright, contrast, homogeneous image. Each projection module is formed of a light source with a divergent beam radiating through a controllable light valve and a projection surface arranged behind it. The distance between the light valve and the projection surface is chosen in such a way that the image parts projected by adjacent modules border gaplessly to each other on the projection surface.

Abstract: The invention provides novel catalyst compositions, useful in the oxidation of hydrocarbons with air or oxygen to form hydroxy-group containing compounds and in the decomposition of hydroperoxides to form hydroxy-group containing compounds. The catalysts comprise transition metal complexes of a porphyrin ring having 1 to 12 halogen substituents on the porphyrin ring, at least one of said halogens being in a meso position and/or the catalyst containing no aryl group in a meso position. The compositions are prepared by halogenating a transition metal complex of a porphyrin.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for establishing networks of electro-optical display-field modules. Mechanical connection technology is provided for the network by direct or indirect coupling of the transmission and reception devices provided in the individual display-field modules. The transmission of information is performed over an optical bus system established by the transmission and reception devices of adjacent display-field modules.

Abstract: A device for forming bows from a ribbon which includes a base plate and a pair of uprights mounted on the base plate. One of the uprights is resiliently biased toward the other upright for grippingly engaging portions of the ribbon inserted therebetween to hold bow loops formed from the ribbon in place while forming the bow. A tie wire is placed between the uprights for securing the portions of the bow loops retained between the uprights before removing the assembled bow loops. The uprights have opposed narrow edges to effectively grip the ribbon positioned therebetween. In one embodiment of the invention, the uprights include spaced upright plates to receive the tie wire and a forming arm which moves the portions of the bow loops between the uprights toward the base plate.

Abstract: The disclosed document feeder apparatus includes a document drive that comprises only a single line of feed rollers with a simple skew adjustment system. This drive is shown incorporated in a cassette-loaded automatic document feeder ("ADF") that is attachable to an existing independent engineering document copier in a non-intrusive manner. The cassette can be loaded, either when positioned in the ADF or at a location remote from the ADF, with a stack of large engineering documents of mixed media and varying sizes; and it is even possible for the cassette to carry a document several yards (meters) long. Documents are fed serially from the top of the stack through the ADF's document flow path by the document drive which is centered for alignment along a line positioned parallel to the document flow path.

Abstract: A convection furnace is provided for brazing workpieces in a heated recirculating atmosphere, in which the workpieces are positioned within a heating chamber of the furnace and are alternately heated from different sides in a controlled manner such that a substantially uniform temperature is maintained throughout the workpieces while their temperatures are increased by the heated atmosphere, preferably an inert gas. The braze furnace is adapted to intermittently divert the heated atmosphere to one side of the heating chamber, through one or more stacked workpieces, to an opposite side of the heating chamber. As such, a pulsed multi-directional convective atmosphere flow is achieved through the workpieces that promotes a more rapid and uniform heat transfer to the workpieces. As a result, each structure as a unit reaches a suitable braze temperature more effectively and efficiently than previously possible.

Abstract: A device which takes cut alfalfa laying in a field and turns it into a plurality of pressed cubes. A water spray conditions the cut alfalfa to have the right moisture content for subsequent processing. A pick up station delivers the alfalfa off of the ground and feeds it to an auger and paddle area for subsequent conveyance to a chopping station where the alfalfa is comminuted to the appropriate length. Thereafter, the chopped alfalfa is conveyed into a press where the cubes of alfalfa are formed by extrusion. Conveyors allow the formed cubes to be placed in a trailer hitched to the vehicle. By providing a vehicle which processes the alfalfa in the field, enhanced quality of the alfalfa cubes and efficiency results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting an arcing fault on a power line carrying a load current. Parameters indicative of power flow and possible fault events on the line, such as voltage and load current, are monitored and analyzed for an arc burst pattern exhibited by arcing faults in a power system. These arcing faults are detected by identifying bursts of each half-cycle of the fundamental current. Bursts occurring at or near a voltage peak indicate arcing on that phase. Once a faulted phase line is identified, a comparison of the current and voltage reveals whether the fault is located in a downstream direction of power flow toward customers, or upstream toward a generation station. If the fault is located downstream, the line is de-energized, and if located upstream, the line may remain energized to prevent unnecessary power outages.

Abstract: A process for liquefying natural gas containing mercaptans. Mercaptans are concentrated into a distillate stream by distilling the feed gas stream without specific pretreatment for mercaptans removal. Thus, the mercaptans removal equipment is much smaller since mercaptans treatment can take place at a point in the process where the flowrate is much lower. A portion of the treated distillate stream can be reinjected to the upstream distilling stage to facilitate mercaptan absorption.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 20 includes an electron multiplier 30 for producing an electron avalanche 58 directed toward an ionization region 38. A sample 40 enters the ionization region 38 through a sample inlet 68. In the ionization region 38 the electron avalanche 58 collides with the sample 40 and produces ions 60. A start detector 56 detects the electron avalanche 58 and provides a start signal. The ions 60 exit the ionization region 38 and enter a flight region 26. The ions 60 flow through the flight region 26 and interact with a stop detector 42. The stop detector 42 generates a stop signal in response to being activated. A low pressure enclosure 22 encloses at least the electron multiplier 30 and the ionization region 38. The start and stop signals are supplied to an analysis system for determining the mass of the sample using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.